Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Venezuela slams TikTok with $10m fine amid offensive challenge

POSTED ON December 31, 2024 •   Technology      BY Benedicta Bassey
TIKTOK Logo

Venezuela’s Supreme Court has issues a $10 million fine against TikTok for disregarding measure to prevent viral video challenges that have allegedly led to the deaths of three Venezuelan children recently.

Reacting to the case, Judge Tania D’Amelio said TikTok had acted in a negligent manner and gave it eight days to pay the fine, while also ordering the video service company to open an office in Venezuela that would supervise content so that it complies with local laws.

The judge did not explain how Venezuela would force TikTok, whose parent company is based in China, to pay the fine. Venezuela has blocked dozens of websites in previous months for not complying with regulations set by its telecommunications commission.

TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

In November, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro blamed TikTok for the death of a 12-year-old girl who allegedly died after participating in a TikTok challenge that involved taking tranquilizer pills and not falling asleep.

Venezuela’s Education Minister Hector Rodriguez also said last month that a 14-year-old died after taking part in a TikTok challenge that involved sniffing substances. And on Nov. 21, Venezuela’s attorney general blamed video challenges on TikTok for the death of a third child.

Dozens of radio stations and television channels have been taken off the air in Venezuela under Maduro over their news coverage.

 More than 60 websites belonging to human rights groups and news companies were blocked at different times this year, according to VE Sin Filtro, a group that tracks media freedoms in the South American country.

In August, Venezuela banned the social media platform X as thousands of Venezuelans took to the streets to protest the re-election of Maduro.

The Venezuelan government initially banned X for 10 days, after Maduro accused its owner Elon Musk of using the social media platform to “orchestrate attacks against Venezuela.” Musk had accused Maduro of rigging the July 28 election, which the United Nations and the Carter Centre, an organization that monitors elections around the world, said did not meet international standards.

X can now be accessed on privately run internet providers in Venezuela, but it is still blocked by Venezuela’s state owned internet provider Movilnet.

READ ALSO
FEC approves N2.5bn satellite technology to combat illegal mining
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 4, 2025 0

During its third meeting of the year on Monday, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the pur...

READ ALSO
Empowering Nigeria's Future: 270 technical educators trained in digital literacy, vocational skills
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 21, 2025 0

The Federal Ministry of Education has equipped 270 technical teachers and instructors in Nigeria wit...

READ ALSO
NMGS advocates for AI, 3D technologies in transforming Nigeria's oil reservoir management
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 21, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (NMGS) has urged the incorporatio...

READ ALSO
FG to enhance Aviation sector with advanced technologies for improved efficiency, Safety
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 16, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Federal Government announced it will engage more technologies to improve...

READ ALSO
Advancing Digital Futures: Over $54Bn mobilized for global connectivity projects
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 14, 2025 0

The deployment of infrastructure necessary for a more advanced digital future is progressing through...

READ ALSO
Tinubu highlight mainstream AI to expand digital infrastructure
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara February 13, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - President Bola Tinubu has detailed his administration's plans to integrate modern a...

READ ALSO
Ogun to boost water supply with technology- Otubanjo
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 30, 2025 0

In a bid to promote balanced development, the Ogun State Government has finalized plans to incorpora...

READ ALSO
Cyber Threats: Nigeria's digital ecosystem at risk from scams and AI attacks
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara January 22, 2025 0

LAGOS- A report by the Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria has indicated that Nigeria&rsqu...

OUR CHANNELS:

Lagos grapples with Diphtheria outbreak as 12-Year-Old student dies
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

LAGOS, NIgeria -  A 12-year-old student of King’s College, Victoria Island, Lagos State h...


NNPC, Dangote negotiate new Naira-for-Crude deal ahead March 2025 deadline
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery have begun discussions...


Meranda charged with corruption after Obasa reinstallment
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - The reinstated speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has filed c...


LASG unveils Africa’s first AI feature film, Set for Cinematic debut on April 18
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 10, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria - Lagos State Goernor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has unveiled Africa’s first feature f...


FG, UAE to address Visa challenges for Nigerians
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has declared that the Federal Government and the United Arab Emirate...


JUST IN: Fire destroys billions of Naira  infrastructure at Geometric Power
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

ABIA, Nigeria - Infrastructure valued at billions of Naira has been reported damaged following a fir...


El-Rufai explores political alliances with Aregbesola, Bakare
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 10, 2025 0

LAGOS, Nigeria (NAN) - In anticipation of the 2027 election, former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-...


Fubara calls for urgent meeting over supreme court ruling
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 10, 2025 0

RIVERS, Nigeria - The political situation in Rivers State took a different direction on Sunday as Go...


PDP NWC Sets April 12 for key Zonal congresses
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

ABUJA,Nigeria - The National Working Committee (NWC) of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ha...


Osimhen shines with 22 goals as Galatasaray targets Turkish Super Lig glory
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara March 11, 2025 0

Victor Osimhen states that Galatasaray will continue to strive for the title after their hard-fought...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu